Some call him the “Granddaddy of Poker,” others the “Godfather,” and “Ten-Deuce” represents the hand that won him back-to-back World Series of Poker championships. Doyle “Texas Dolly” Brunson revolutionized the game of poker and set the standard for excellence by which other players would be measured.
Born Aug. 10, 1933, Brunson grew up in Longworth, Texas. Young Brunson had natural athletic and academic gifts. The Minneapolis Lakers drafted Brunson, but after severely breaking his leg, his athletic career ended.
During the 1950s, he played small-limit poker, but graduated quickly to the higher-stakes games and traveled throughout Texas playing in the biggest games with the likes of Sailor Roberts, Amarillo “Slim” Preston, and Johnny Moss.
Brunson’s first book, titled How I Made Over $1,000,000 Playing Poker, became Super/System. It transformed the game and gave ordinary players an insight into the way professionals played and won. His second book, According to Doyle, was published in 1976, but was later retitled Poker Wisdom of a Champion.
Brunson has made tons of tournament final tables, holds a World Poker Tour title, and is tied with Johnny Chan for the second-most WSOP bracelets, with 10.
Vinnie Favorito began delighting audiences in 1986 and was first noticed nationally as a WZOU 94.5 FM (Top 40) Star Search champion. His diverse appeal has earned him silver screen exposure on various Comedy Central shows, “The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn” and the “Best Damn Sports Show Period.” He is also known throughout Hollywood as one of the country’s top “roasters” for celebrities including Tom Arnold, Jerry Springer and Larry King.
Making his way to the Las Vegas circuit in 1990, Favorito provided comic relief to the masses. He is arguably best known in Vegas for his performances at The Improv comedy club at Harrah’s. In Boston, he has served as host of “Boston Chronicle,” a magazine television show, and guest radio host on Boston’s EAGLE 93.7 FM. Other honors include Favorito’s 1998 victory as winner of the renowned San Francisco International Comedy Competition, and recognition from the Boston Herald as one of Boston’s Top 10 Comedians.
He currently has a nightly show at the Flamingo hotel in Las Vegas and is a host of The Real Deal.
Bill Nuss, producer – Nuss has produced and written more than 300 hours of network prime-time television, winning a variety of awards for excellence in television production
Merv Adelson is co-executive producer of The Real Deal. He was co-founder, Chairman and CEO of Lorimar Telepictuers Corporation, producing hits “Dallas,” “The Waltons,” and “Knots Landing” among others.
